Cracker-sandwich filler mechanism



June 21 1960 FOWLER ETAL 2,941,698

CRACKER-SANDWICH FILLER MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 13, 1957 VIII .. 5 m? m 0 r N o N 9 TO/ O m Mfl M m MKW 5 M5 Fm v 5 June 21, 1960 F. E. FOWLER E AL CRACKER-SANDWICH FILLER MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 13, 1957 FER/VA E. WLEE, ROBERT J. I

June 21, 1960 F. E. FOWLER ETA!- 2,941,698

CRACKER-SANDWICH FILLER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 13, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnl/ENTORS:

FQHNK E, FOWLE Q, RO ET 'J MIA/DER,

HTTOR States Pate 7 2,941,698 CRACKER-SANDWICH FILLER MECHANISM Edward Fowler, 275 Oglethorpe Ave., and Robert J. Minder, 254 W. Washington St., both of Athens, Ga.

med Sept. 13, 1957, Ser. No. 683,807 4 Claims. (Cl. 222+216) The present invention relates generally to automatic machinery for making sandwiches, such as cracker or like sandwiches which include peanut butter, confectionery filling, and other substances, and more particularly to the filler material holding and discharge mechanism for such automatic machinery. The present application ,is a conti iuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 120,552, filed October 10, 1949 for Cracker-Sandwich MakingMachine, now abandoned. A

In brief, the present novel filler material holding and discharge lrnechanism includes a rotatably' mounted casifig within which is disposed a filler material discharge device mounted in fixed relation to the casing. The base the casing comprises a heavy annular plate in which are mounted filler material discharge sleeves. The discharge device includes means cooperating with the plate for forcing charges of filler material into the sleeves in continuoussuccession. V i

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel filler material, holding and discharge mechanism for cracker sandwich machinery which' will efliciently deposit filler material on successive crackers in predetermined amount at a wide range of speeds.

n'Another object is to provide a novel filler material holding and discharge mechanism for cracker sandwich machinery which incorporates a minimum of moving parts, in which maintenance is reduced to a minimum,

and in which cleaning is simplified.

Another object is to provide a novel filler material holding and discharge mechanism which is fully automatic in depositing successive predetermined amounts of filler material on crackers and the like. i

,The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Figure l is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view through a filler material receiving, mixing and dispensingmechanism incorporating the teachings of the present invention mounted as part of a cracker making machine, parts being shown in elevation;

, Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on substantially the line 22 of Figure l; t, Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical arcuate cross-sectional view on substantially the line 33 of Figure 2;

t Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

.M'FigureS is a vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on substantially the line 66 of Figure 1;

. Figure 7 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

.t Figure 8 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 8--8 of Figure 6;

,Figure 9 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 9-9 of Figure 2;

.s Figure 10is a reduced elevational view of the filler material scraper;

2,941,698 Patented June 21, 1960' ice Figure 15 is a plan view of the integral cast dasher of the modified filler material discharge device.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by' refer ence numerals, 16 indicates generally a filler material containing and dispensing mechanism constructed in accordance" with the teachings of the present invention (Figures 1-13).

The filler material containing and discharge mechanism 15 is mounted on and secured to one sprocket 17 of a cracker making machine 18 for rotation about a shaft 19, the sprocket 17 being freely rotatable about the shaft 18. A heavy sleeve 20 surrounds the shaft 19 and is secured to the upper surfaceof the sprocket 17 by means of an integral flange and securing bolts 21 (Figure 7) A centrally apertured plate 22 of annular form is formed integral with or is welded or otherwise secured to the sleeve 20, the shaft 19 extending centr'ally therethrough (Figure 3). A cylindrical casing 25 is mounted on the plate 22, as is shown in Figure l, and is closed at the top by a removable lid 26. As is clear from Figures 1, 4 and 5, the cylindrical casing 25 rests on an annular shoulder formed in the periphery of the plate 22. An annular groove 28 is formed in the plate 22 in the upper surface thereof (Figures 2, 3 and 9). A plurality of downwardlyextending sleeves 2? is mounted in the groove28, each sleeve 29 being flush with the plate 2 2 fora portion of its upper end and including a pgrtion angularly directed toward the bottom of the groove 28 as is clear from Figures 3 and 9, forming in effect a mouth '30 to receive filler material when the upper ends of the tubes 29 are considered in relation to a cover over the groove 28. To the lower end of each tube 29 is removably secured a nozzle 32 by a suitable sets cr ew 33 (Figure 3). The disclosed nozzles 32 are formed with an internally located annular obstruction $4 to ex'trude or discharge a doughnut-shaped charge of filler material 35, as is shown in Figure 13. Manifestly, the shape of the charge 35 may be varied as desired, the nozzle 32 being replaced by another nozzle when another charge shape is required. In the instant disclosure, twelve nozzles 32 are employed. A larger or smaller number oi nozzles 32 may be employed, depending upon the particular requirements of the filler material being discharged, 'andupon other factors concerning sandwiches to be formed by the machine 18.

A filler discharge device 40 is provided which comprises a horizontally disposed plate and a sleeve 42 formed integral therewith which is secured to the shaft 19 by afsuitablesetscrew 43 (Figures 25). The plate 41is of wedge shape, as is clear from Figure 2, and extends out over the groove 28 to close a segment at a time. A vertically extending sleeve 45 is formed integral with or is secured to the plate 41 in a position above the groove 28. i The sleeve 45 has a generally rectangularly shaped internal passage which receives a rectangularly shaped filler material ext ruder plunger 46 which has a bevelled lower end 47 disposed within the groove 28 and filling the same, as is clear from Figures 3 and 5. A compression spring 48 biases the plunger 46 into engagement with the 'groove 28, theupp'er end of the spring 48 engaging a"c1o'sure plate 49 secured to the upper end of the sleeve g 3 45 by suitable screws 50. The plunger 46 is to one side of the outer end of the plate 41 so that, when the plunger 46 has passed a tube 29, the segment of groove 28 between it and the next tube 29 isfully covered by the plate 41, as 1s clear from Figure 3. Manifestly, filler material in the groove 28 ahead of the plunger 46 and up to the next tube 29 will be forced into the opening 30 of the tube 29 as the plate 22 is rotated.

There is provided for maintaining filler material 35 in the groove 28 a filler material scraper 55 which is secured to the shaft 19 by means of a bracket 56 and screws. As is clear from the drawings, the scraper 55 extends across the .plate 22 and is of irregular cross section in order to achieve maximum eifect. The scraper 55 mixes and scrapes the filler material 35 excess from the groove 28 as the plate 22 revolves.

A no cracker device 57 is provided for preventing discharge of filler material 35 when the machine18 fails to provide a cracker 58 or the like beneath the to be discharged tube 29, and is particularly advantageous in startingthe machine to permit crackers to move to filling positions. A second sleeve 60 identical with the sleeve 45 is formed integral with or is secured to the plate 41 in spaced relation to the sleeve 45 and above the groove 28, the center line to center line arcuate distance between sleeves 45 and 60 being the arcuate center line to center line distance between adjacent tubes 29. A rectangularly shaped plunger 61 is disposed in the rectangularly cross section bore of the sleeve 60 similar to the plunger 46.

v The plunger 61 not only acts to scavenge the groove 28 in case there is no cracker in position, it also acts to scrape any predetermined amount of filling material out of the groove 28 ahead of plunger 46. By lowering the plunger 61 deeper into the groove 28, less material will- The plunger 61 is adapted to be moved to the bottom of the groove 28 to fully discharge material therefrom when necessary as is described below, but normally rides in a predetermined position above the bottom of the groove 28 as is clear from Figures 3 and 4. A rod 62 threadedly engages the upper end of the plunger 61 and extends upwardly through a protective tube 63. The upper end of the tube 63 threadedly engages a threaded openingin a plate 66 which is secured to the upper end of the sleeve 60 by suitable screws 67. A compression spring 68 bearing against the top of the plunger 61 andagainst the lower end of the tube 63 biases the plunger 61 downwardly into groove 28 engaging position. The plunger 61 is normally maintained in its raised position by the adjustable nut 70 engaging one end of a bracket 71, and is secured against loosening by a lock nut 72. Manifestly, the lower end of the plunger 61 may beadjusted by-the nuts 70 and 72 to dispose it at any selected point above the bottom of the groove 28, so that any predetermined amount of filler material 35 may be discharged through the, nozizles 32; all material 35 above the plane of movement of the lower end of the plunger 61 being removedfrom the groove 28 by the plunger 61-before the plate 41 covers the concerned groove segment. The bracket 71 is slidably disposed on-the plate 64 as shown in Figures 11 and 12, and is biased into the position as shown in thesefigures by .a tension spring 73, one end of which is secured to the upper end of a post 74 and theother end of which is secured to a screw 75 or the like secured in the vertical wall of the bracket 71. The post 74 extends through a slot 76 in the bracket 71 to permit movement of the latter, the post 74 being threadedly anchored inthe plate 64. A solenoid -78 is secured on the plate 64 and includes a plunger 79 which isconnected to the vettigalwa llof the bracket 71 as shown. Energization of the coil of the solenoid 78 effects movement of the bracket 71 to the right, considering Figure 12, and thus removes the bracket 71 from beneath the nut 70, thereby permitting the spring 68 to move the plunger 61 into the groove 28. For energizing the coil of the solenoid 78, there is provided a micro-switch 81 which is conveniently mounted beneath and is connected to an arcuate plate 84 (Figure 1), the micro-switch 81 including the usual actuator button which is engageable by a pivotally mounted lever 82 mounted on a pivot screw 83 secured to the upper surface of the arcuate plate 84 mounted on posts 85 welded or otherwise secured to a plate forming part of the machine 18 (Figure 7). At its free end, the lever 82 includes a boss 87 which is biased against a pivotally mounted arcuate member 88 by a tension spring 89, the arcuate member 88 forming a segment of the outer member of a cracker handling trough forming part of the machine 18 and being movable inwardly a predetermined amount upon failure of a cracker in the trough in, any cracker station. The lever 82 includes an extension '90 which extends outwardly and downwardly and supports an adjustable screw 91 disposed beneath the arcuate plate 84 in a position to contact the button of the micro-switch 81 as aforesaid when the lever 82 is pivoted inwardly under the influence of the spring 89 upon failure of a cracker in any cracker station. Actuation of the micro-switch 81 effects energization of the coil of the solenoid 78 to withdraw the bracket 71 from beneath the nut 70, there-,

' by throwing the plunger 61 and clearing the channel 28 of filler material.

There is provided a filler material cut-ofi wire 95 which is stretched across the aforesaid trough in a manner to just clear the bottoms of the nozzles. 32 (Figures 6 and 8). One end of the wire 95 is secured to a screw 96, the other end being secured to the free end of a lever 97 pivotally mounted on a post 98 supported by the arcuate plate 84. A compression spring 99 mounted. on a bolt 100 biases the lever 97 outwardly to maintain the cutting wire 95 taut.

Operation of mechanism of Figures 112 Upon starting the machine 18, the sprocket 17 will be rotated. Since the plate 22 of the filler material receiving and discharging mechanism 16 is secured to the sprocket 17, the plate 22 and the connected parts mcluding the sleeves 29 and nozzles 32 will rotate with" it.

. is forced into the mouth 30 of each tube 29 by and as it approaches the stationary plunger 46, the amount of filler material 35 in the groove 28 for discharge being determediately upon extrusion thereof.

mined by the position of the plunger 61. Noting Figures 2 and 6, is clear that the stationary plunger 46 'is located just ahead of the cut-0E wire 95, so that the filler material 35 .is promptly severed from the nozzle 32 im Manifestly, adjustments may be made in respect to location of the plate 41 which supportsthe plunger 46 through loosening and retightening thesetscrew 43, and, if necessary, the cut-off wire may be relocated upon the arcuate plate 84 if required. The .crackers receive filler material 35 from the nozzles 32 while in motion, and, after receiving the filler material 35 severed by the cut-off Wire95'pass on to successive positions to receive the crackers. i

As. stated above, filler material 35' not discharge from a nozzle 32 when there is' no cracker beneath This-no cracker. device 57 is readily understood from the above description, particularly consideringFigures 2-611 and 12. The arcuate member 188 is 'moved in wardly under the action of the spring 89 acting through the lever 82 upon failure ofa cracker being moved-into position. Thereupon, the microswitch 81 is actuated to effect energization of the solenoid 78 to withdraw the bracket 71 from beneath the nut 70 to permit the spring 68 to lower the plunger 61 into the groove 28, which thereupon plows the filler material 35 from the groove 28 so that there is no filler material 35 for the plunger 46 to force into the mouth 30 of the concerned tube 29. Manifestly, if there is a cracker in the next position, the member 88 will be moved to its normal position against the force of the spring 89 by such cracker and the microswitch 81 will be released, whereupon the solenoid 78 will be deenergized and the bracket 71 will be moved beneath the nut 70 as the rod 62 is raised upon the plunger 61 riding upwardly over the top of the tube 29 immediately following the cleaned-out groove segment. The relationship of the member 88 and the plunger 61 is such that deenergization of the solenoid 78 occurs just as or just before the rod 62 is moved to its highest point in the travel of the plunger 61 over the upper end of the concerned tube 29.

A modified filler mechanism 110 of simplified construction is shown in Figures 14, 15. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals employed in Figures 1-12.

The filler mechanism 110 includes a discharge device 112 incorporating a horizontal wedge-shaped plate 113 and an integral sleeve 114, the latter being releasably locked to the shaft 19 by a winged washer 116 engaging V in opposed slots 117 in the free end of the sleeve 114 and a Winged nut 118 engaging the threaded extremity 119 of the shaft 19.

At one free corner of the plate 113 is an integral vertical partially open housing 122 within which is a plunger 123 of substantially rectangular cross-section. Secured to the top of the housing 122 by screws 125 is a second housing 126 having an upper cylindrical chamber 127 and a lower cylindrical chamber 128 of larger diameter. A rod 129 extends through both chambers 127 and 128 and has the lower end threaded into or otherwise secured to a crosshead 130 which is disposed in a transverse vertically elongated slot 131 in the plunger 123. A communicating vertical well in the plunger 123 receives the lower end of the rod 129. A compression spring 133 bearing against the upper end of the plunger 123 and against a bushing 134 disposed at the juncture of the chambers 127 and 128 biases the plunger 123 into the position of Figure 14.

The rod 129 is vertically adjustable within the second housing 126 by means of a centrally threaded cap 135 in which the threaded upper end 136 of the rod 129 engages. A setscrew 137 maintains the cap 135 in place on the end of the second housing 126. It is clear that upward adjustment of the rod 129 will limit the lower position of the plunger 123 in respect to the upper surface of the plate 22. The adjustment of Figure 14 permits the plunger 123 to just reach the plate 22.

In the lower surface of the plate 113 is an arcuate groove or channel 140 which is of a width substantially equal to the diameter of the sleeve 29 and of a depth to clear the sleeve 29 which extend above the plate 22 as shown in the drawings in order to trap filler material. The plunger 123 is of the same width as the groove 140 and cooperates with the groove 140 and the sleeves 29 in the same manner as the plunger 46 to force filler material from the casing 25 onto moving crackers therebeneath.

In the modified filler mechanism 110, the plunger 123 is the only moving part of the discharge device 112. The groove 140 in the plate 113 renders cleaning easy and thorough, since the whole discharge device 112 is readily removed and replaced.

It is manifest that there has been provided filler mechanism which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. in combination, in a sandwich making machine, a filler material holding and discharge mechanism comprising a container including a bottom plate, means for rotating said plate, an annular groove in said plate, spaced openings in said groove, a filler material discharge member extending downwardly from each opening, and means for forcing a predetermined amount of filler material into each discharge member at least once each revolution of said plate including a fixed plate covering a segment of said groove and a pair of vertically movable spaced plungers supported by said fixed plate in positions for spring pressed movement into said groove, one plunger determining the amount of filler material to be discharged and the other discharging such amount into each opening.

2. In combination, in a sandwich making machine, a filler material holding and discharge mechanism comprising a container including a bottom plate, means for rotating said plate, an annular groove in said plate, spaced openings in said annular groove extending, through said plate, a filler material discharge member extending downwardly from each opening, and means for forcing a predetermined amount of filler material from said groove into each discharge member at least once each revolution of said plate, including a stationary plate extending over a portion of said groove, and a plunger mounted in said plate and extending into said groove into engagement with the bottom thereof, said plunger being of a width about equal to that of said groove so that it moves filler material in the groove ahead of a discharge member into the discharge member as the plate is rotated.

3. In combination, in a sandwich making machine, a filler material holding and discharge mechanism comprising a container including a bottom plate, means for rotating said plate, spaced openings in said plate, a filler material discharge member extending downwardly from each opening, and means for forcing a predetermined amount of filler material into each discharge member at least once each revolution of said plate including a stationary plate extending over at least one discharge member and an arcuate path portion in front thereof, said stationary plate having an arcuate groove in the bottom thereof, and a plunger mounted in said plate and extending into said groove for moving filler material into said discharge members.

4. In combination, in a sandwich making machine, a filler material holding and discharge mechanism comprising a container including a bottom plate, means for rotating said plate, spaced openings in said plate, a filler material discharge member extending downwar ly from each opening, and means for forcing a predetermined amount of filler material into each discharge member at least once each revolution of said plate including a stationary plate extending over at least one discharge member and an arcuate path portion in front the eof, said stationary plate having an arcuate groove in the bottom thereof, and a plunger mounted in said plate and extending into said groove for moving filler material into said discharge members, said plunger being adjustable in respect to said groove to determine the amount of filler material moved into the discharge members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 407,943 Nichols July 30, 1889 2,115,335 Keck et a1. Apr. 26, 1938 2,176,448 Ayars Oct. 17, 1939 2,392,054 McKinnis Jan. 1, 1946 2,602,578 Carruthers July 8, 1952 

